26 Easy Freezer Meals and Meal Prep Ideas

These easy Freezer Meals and meal prep ideas are a great addition to the freezer for quick, homemade meals. Make-ahead recipes are lifesavers for busy days or when you're hunkering down at home.

See this easy Guide to Freezer-Friendly Meals for more ideas on what freezes well and what to avoid.

Meal Prep With Frozen Meats

Here are some guidelines for using frozen meats with these kitchen appliances:

• Slow Cooker: If you're cooking or making meat in the slow cooker, be sure to thaw it in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours. 
• Instant Pot: Frozen meats don't need to be thawed if you're reheating in the pressure cooker. 

Can you freeze meals in glass containers?

It's generally considered safe to freeze meals in glass container, but there are a few safety precautions thermal shock, which leads to shattering glass.

• Use the Right Glass: Only use containers specifically labeled as freezer-safe, oven-safe, and microwave-safe (typically made of tempered or borosilicate glass.
• Cool Completely Before Freezing: Allow hot, cooked food to cool to room temperature, then chill it in the fridge before transferring it to the freezer. Putting hot glass into the freezer can cause thermal shock.
• Leave Headspace: When freezing liquids or items with high water content (like soups or casseroles), leave about an inch of space at the top to allow for expansion as the food freezes.
• Thaw Gradually: The safest method is to transfer the frozen meal from the freezer to the refrigerator and allow it to thaw completely, usually overnight, before heating in a hot oven.
• Avoid Extreme Temperature Changes: Never place a frozen glass dish onto a hot surface (like a preheated metal rack, hot stovetop, or wet counter). Use dry pot holders or a dry trivet when handling hot glass. 

Here are a few freezer-safe glass alternatives:

1. Use aluminum pans, which will not shatter.
2. Line your frozen glass containers with parchment so you can pull out lasagnas and casseroles and transfer to a room-temperature pan for baking.
3. Use Ziploc freezer bags.

Freezer Friendly Recipes

1

Homemade Frozen Pizzas

"Imagine... a freezer stocked full of Homemade Frozen Pizzas, ready to pop straight into the oven. Cooked from frozen, I have a cheeky tip to make sure your pizzas come out fabulously crispy. The ultimate economical freezer meal - these cost $2 each!"

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2

Quinoa Black Bean Crockpot Stuffed Peppers

It's the best Monday in all the Mondays! Er, what? Monday and best in the same sentence? I know, but I have my reasons. Let's just pause

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3

Easy Baked Ziti

Our baked ziti recipe is an easy, delicious weeknight dinner! This Italian comfort food is made with pasta, tomato sauce, and lots of cheese.

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4

Make Ahead Quiche with Bacon, Cheese and Spinach

Make-Ahead Quiche with Bacon, Cheese, and Spinach is a delicious and easy freezer-friendly, easy recipe for afternoon tea, brunch, or even dinner.

Make Ahead Quiche Recipe

5

Mexican Lasagna Skillet Casserole

Mexican Lasagna Skillet is a Southwestern-inspired casserole made up of layers of tortillas, cheese, and taco meat. Simple, packed with flavor, and delicious!

Mexican Lasagna Skillet Casserole

6

Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken (Freezer Meal)

Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken - Stock your freezer with the easiest, quickest crockpot FREEZER MEAL!!! Simply drop into the crockpot and you're set!!!

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7

Vegetarian Stuffed Shells Recipe

Stuffed shells with roasted vegetables, marinara sauce, spinach, and cheese. This baked pasta dish is delicious and freezes beautifully!

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8

Butternut Squash Soup

Once the soup is cooked, transfer to an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months for maximum flavor. For quick and easy lunches, freeze in smaller individual containers.

Butternut Squash Soup Recipe

9

Easiest Chicken Enchiladas Ever with Leftover Chicken

Prepare the enchiladas but do not bake them. Put them in a freezer container that can go from freezer to oven- like foil. Cover tightly with plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze up to 3 months. To bake, remove the plastic wrap, cover and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and continue to baking for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until completely cooked through.

Leftover Chicken Enchiladas Recipe

10

7 Chicken Marinade Recipes You Can Freeze

These 7 chicken marinade recipes make your chicken tender, juicy and so flavorful! Freeze for later, then cook in the oven or on the grill.

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11

15 Minute White Bean Soup with Garden Vegetables

A quick soup with veggies that freeze well. Transfer to an airtight freezer container in individual portions for a quick lunch or dinner.

White Bean Soup Recipe

12

Easy Indian Curry Lentil Soup Recipe with Turmeric and Cumin

This curry lentil soup is an easy standby freezer-friendly soup or even meal that I love to have in the freezer. It can be served over steamed basmati rice with a pat of butter, which gives it a creamy texture that is simply divine or as a soup.

Indian Curry Lentil Soup Recpe

13

A Classic Ribollita: Tuscan Bean Soup Recipe

A delicious, rustic soup that's wonderful to have in the freezer. Microwave or thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

Ribollita Soup Recipe

14

Classic Broccoli Cheddar Soup in Bread Bowls

Make the soup and transfer it to an airtight freezer container. Freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to reheat, add to a soup pot and warm through. Serve in bread bowls if you'd like. We also have an Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar recipe that would work too!

Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe

15

Healthy Instant Pot Turkey Chili

Once cooked, let the chili cool before transferring to an airtight freezer container.

Instant Pot Turkey Chili Recipe

16

Easy Coconut Curry

The best coconut curry recipe! It's easy to make and packs a punch of flavor from turmeric, ginger & curry spices. A great weeknight vegetable curry recipe.

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17

Fast and Easy Healthy 20-Minute Chili Recipe

Cook and let cool before transferring to an airtight freezer container.

20 Minute Chili Recipe

18

Freezer Friendly Shredded Mexican Beef Burritos

"Freezer standby meals don't get any better than this - burritos filled with Mexican Shredded Beef in a rich, thick sauce, and stuffed with Mexican Red Rice and cheese. SO GOOD! You will love this Shredded Beef Burritos recipe."

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19

Korean BBQ Bulgogi Wraps Made Easy in the Slow Cooker

Assemble these BBQ Bulgogi Wraps, and then wrap individually before storing in an airtight freezer container.

Korean BBQ Bulgogi Wraps Recipe

20

The Best Chicken Tinga Tacos

These Chicken Tinga Tacos are THE BEST! Saucy, spicy, real food perfection.

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21

Turkey and Spinach Veggie Lasagna

Turkey and Spinach Veggie Lasagna - Lightened-up, skinny lasagna with ground turkey and plenty of vegetables - carrots, onion, zucchini and spinach!

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22

Farmers' Market Corn Chowder

Make and then transfer to an airtight container and freeze. To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat on the stovetop.

Farmers' Market Corn Chowder

23

Homemade Toaster Waffles

Homemade toaster waffles are made ahead of time, and frozen. A quick turn in the toaster or zap in the microwave, and you have a hot breakfast with no mess.

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24

Make Ahead Meal Prep Mini Frittatas in Muffin Tins

Freezing tips: Cool completely in the refrigerator before freezing. Then wrap each egg bite in plastic wrap before placing it in a Ziploc freezer bag. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat 30 to 60 seconds in the microwave.

Meal Prep Mini Frittatas Recipe

25

Make Ahead Breakfast Burritos Recipe

These make-ahead breakfast burritos are freezer-friendly, perfect for meal prep, and easy to customize. Enjoy hot, hearty breakfasts even on your busiest mornings.

Breakfast Burritos Recipe